Breaking: Spring Weekend 2018 Line-up Announced

A statement from the Brown Concert Agency: Introducing Spring Weekend 2018— a line-up created to #DISRUPT music festivals’ complacency. Following the momentum of last year’s success, we wanted to continue prioritizing marginalized identities. This year’s line-up is so talented, bringing a diverse set of genres, sounds, aesthetics, and energies to Spring Weekend. We, as a group, recognize that there is no perfect lineup, but we remain committed to disrupting hierarchies within the industry.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=pna5h6_e7TM[/embed] Friday, April 27th Rico NastyBorn Maria Kelly, RicoNasty is a twenty-year-old rapper best known for her 2016 single “iCarly.” Originally from Maryland, Rico has an “online community growing by the week.” Rico collaborated with Lil Yachty for a remix based off of the childhood TV show Hey Arnold!. Also known by the name “Taco Bella” Rico has coined a new genre, “sugar trap,” to describe her “markedly upbeat, bubbly, and self-loving” music. Her music has been featured in the soundtracks for Insecure and The Fate of the Furious. Noisey likens her music to that of Lil Uzi Vert. DRAMShelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith, better known by his stage name DRAM, is an American rapper and songwriter. Born in Germany and raised in Hampton, Virginia, he kicked off his career with the single “Cha Cha”, and cracked the top five spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 with his single “Broccoli” featuring Lil Yachty. He has gone from working as a member of the Geek Squad at his local Best Buy to working alongside the likes of Chance the Rapper, Gorillaz, and Young Thug, as well as dabbling in acting. The genres that best describe his music include hip hop, R&B, soul, and trap. NAOBorn Neo Jessica Joshua, NAO is a British songwriter and vocalist, as well as a record producer. NAO’s music falls into the genre of soul with strong electronic and R&B influences, a combination she describes as “wonky funk." NAO’s music career began with six years in an all-female a capella group, The Boxettes. In 2014, she released her first EP, So Good, which reached no. 4 on iTunes electronics charts. Then, in 2016, she released her debut album, For All We Know, garnering her a nomination for Best British Female Solo Artist at the Brit Awards. Her most popular songs are “Bad Blood” and “Fool to Love." Saturday, April 28th What Cheer? BrigadeWhat Cheer? Brigade is back! This is low-key the greatest part of Spring Weekend so get excited for this 19-piece brass band to grace us with its absurdly fun presence. And bring your dancing shoes! Rina SawayamaRina Sawayama is a Japanese model and singer-songwriter described by V magazine as a “digital-age pop pioneer.” Her genre is a mix of R&B, 80s synthe, and 90s pop. She uses her songs to address “sociopolitical anxieties” and “technology-driven loneliness.” Raised by a Japanese single mother in London, Rina studied at Cambridge University before joining the music industry. She signed with the label Momoé Records, and her debut mini-album, Rina, was released in 2017. Rina is best known for her 2017 single “Cyber Stockholm Syndrome."  WhitneyWhitney is an indie-rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 2015 that has been signed by the Secretly Canadian label, released their debut album Light Upon the Lake, and toured internationally. They are comprised of members guitarist Max Kakacek, drummer Julien Ehrlich, bassist Josiah Marshall, brass player Will Miller, keyboard player Malcolm Brown, rhythm guitarist Print Chouteau, and audio engineer Charles Glanders. Their sound can be thought of as folk and country reimagined with a Chicago soul style. Whitney's most popular song is "No Woman". Anderson .Paak and the Free NationalsBrandon Anderson Paak released his first album, Venice, under his stage name Anderson Paak in 2014. Two years later, Anderson Paak and The Free Nationals’ album Malibu received Grammy recognition with a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2016. That same year, Paak found himself on the same list as Lil Dicky, Desiigner, Dave East, Denzel Curry, Lil Yachty, G Hearbo, Lil Uzivert, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black as one of the XXL Freshman of the year. Anderson Paak has been interviewed by NPR regarding his rise to fame after facing homelessness with his wife and infant in 2011. Paak has since become an apprentice of Dr. Dre, being featured as a performer on six songs in Dr. Dre’s album Compton. Anderson Pack has gained recognition for his rise from  In 2018, Anderson Paak’s song "'Til It's Over” was featured in an Apple Inc commercial starring FKA Twigs.  Check out the Brown Concert Agency's website for more information!Images via, via, via, via, via, via, via, and via